Advertise on podcast: Inside Biotech

In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with Eileen, a UC Irvine PhD candidate and member of the BCLA Consulting team, to explore biotech investment trends across the U.S. in 2026. We discuss shifts in early- and late-stage venture funding, the rise of licensing and M&A activity, growing investment in AI and biologics, and changing trends across therapeutic modalities. Eileen also shares insights from BCLA’s Card News research and discusses what these trends could mean for biotech startups, investors, consultants, and the future of innovation. BCLA Card News: https://www.bc-la.org/about-3 Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

Becoming a Better Scientific Writer In this episode of Inside Biotech, hosts Riley Conover Elmer and Karishma Chhugani discuss what makes scientific writing effective and how researchers can become better writers. They explore the importance of clarity, storytelling, and balancing technical language with accessibility. Riley and Karishma also share practical tips for becoming a better reader, efficiently navigating scientific literature, organizing important papers, and identifying key findings and limitations. They wrap up with strategies for staying motivated, setting writing goals, structuring manuscripts, and collaborating with co-authors and mentors. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or simply looking to strengthen your scientific communication skills, this episode offers practical advice for becoming a more confident scientific writer. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

In this episode of Inside Biotech, Karishma Chhugani sits down with Rene Hubert, PhD, Scientific Director of Early Career Talent and Academic Engagement at Amgen, to discuss the experiences that shaped his journey from first-generation student to biotech leader. Rene reflects on overcoming financial hardship, language barriers, self-doubt, and setbacks while staying focused on his lifelong mission to make an impact on patients through science. Rene also shares his practical five-point plan for building a successful career in biotech, emphasizing the importance of internships, embracing challenges, networking, identifying your unique strengths, and developing a personal mantra that keeps you motivated through difficult times. Whether you’re a student exploring career options or an early-career scientist looking for guidance, this inspiring conversation offers valuable lessons on resilience, mentorship, and creating a meaningful career in biotechnology. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

Strong scientific presentations are about more than sharing data they’re about making your research clear, engaging, and memorable. In this solo Host Chat episode of Inside Biotech, co-host Riley Conover-Elmer explores practical strategies for creating presentations that effectively communicate complex scientific ideas to a variety of audiences. Whether you’re preparing for a lab meeting, conference talk, thesis defense, or industry presentation, Riley shares techniques that can help you present your work with confidence and clarity. Throughout the episode, Riley discusses everything from organizing figures and designing cleaner, more effective slides to tailoring your message for your audience and handling challenging Q&A sessions with professionalism. Drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned throughout her scientific career, she offers actionable advice that researchers at every stage can immediately apply to improve both their presentations and their overall science communication skills. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with Philip Sell, founder of Metaba, a biotech company focused on developing new approaches to combat drug-resistant infections, including tuberculosis.We dive into the founding story of Metaba, exploring the problem the company aims to solve and the scientific strategy behind its approach. Philip discusses the challenges of transitioning from a research-focused background to leading a startup, as well as the realities of building a biotech company from the ground up. The conversation also highlights the global impact of tuberculosis, the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, and why developing new treatments is both urgent and complex. Philip shares his perspective on the future of infectious disease drug discovery and offers advice for scientists interested in entering the startup space. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

NEW HOSTS CHAT EPISODE Networking can feel intimidating, but it remains one of the most powerful tools for career growth. In this Hosts Chat, Karishma Chhugani shares her perspective on building meaningful professional relationships, making the most of LinkedIn, and why attending local networking events can lead to opportunities you never expected. Whether you're a student, recent graduate, or industry professional, the connections you make today could help shape your future tomorrow. Listen now and join the conversation. #InsideBiotech #Biotech #Networking #LinkedIn #CareerDevelopment #LifeScience #BiotechCareers #ProfessionalDevelopment Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

Live from BPI West 🎙️ This week on Inside Biotech, Riley Elmer sits down with Andrew Bender from Atlas, Sage Aronson from Kymo Co, and Yogesh Brahmecha from Janux Therapeutics for a conversation on AI wearables, metabolism and inflammation, cancer immunotherapy, and the future of biotech innovation. From machine learning and translational oncology to drug discovery and entrepreneurship, this panel dives into the interdisciplinary future of biotech. Hosted by Riley Elmer. 🧬 #InsideBiotech #Biotech #BPIWest #AI #Immunotherapy #DrugDiscovery #MachineLearning #HealthcareInnovation Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

In this episode, Karishma interviews Tim, a patent litigator at Mintz, discussing his journey from a potential medical career to law, the skills gained in law school, and the intersection of biotechnology and law. Tim shares insights on his current role, the importance of scientific knowledge in patent law, and the challenges of explaining complex scientific concepts in legal contexts. He also offers advice for aspiring lawyers and reflects on the future of biotech and patent law in the LA ecosystem. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

What actually makes a good mentor, and how do you find one who’s right for you? In this episode of Inside Biotech, new host Riley explores how mentorship shapes scientific careers, sharing five key principles for building strong mentor–mentee relationships. Drawing from personal experience, the conversation highlights aligning values, looking beyond expertise, and embracing productive tension to support growth in science. Perfect for graduate students and early-career researchers navigating advisor relationships, lab culture, and long-term career development in academia or industry. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

In this episode, Gabriella Rubert joins the Biotech Connection Los Angeles team for a thoughtful conversation reflecting on her journey as a host of the Inside Biotech podcast. Together, they explore the challenges and rewards of science communication, the responsibility of making complex scientific topics accessible, and the impact storytelling has in connecting the biotech community with the public. The discussion highlights the importance of networking, mentorship, and embracing non-linear career paths in science, while also touching on personal growth, confidence, and the value of asking for help along the way. As the episode marks a meaningful transition, Gabriella reflects on her experiences behind the mic and passes the torch to the next generation of Inside Biotech hosts. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

What if we’ve been focusing on the wrong cells in cancer? In this episode, Dr. Reginald Hill explains how fibroblasts, inflammation, and tissue stiffness shape tumor behavior and chemoresistance—and how mouse models, organoids, and microfluidic devices can turn those insights into better diagnostics. We dig into his path from a Cell cover story to a patent on an exosome-based cancer detection platform, his work lobbying Congress for pancreatic cancer research, and his aviation-inspired approach to lab management and science career coaching. Perfect for anyone interested in cancer biology, translational tech, or building a scientific career beyond the “traditional” path. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

CEO of Vistagen, Shawn Singh, returns to Inside Biotech to discuss groundbreaking developments in intranasal therapeutics. Shawn shares exciting results from Vistagen’s fast-track phase 3 trials, explains how intranasal drug delivery bypasses limitations of traditional therapeutics relying on systemic absorption, and reflects on telehealth’s role in accessibility. This conversation spotlights a transformative moment in neuroscience, drug development and mental health innovation. Learn more about Vistagen: https://www.vistagen.com/ Listen to our previous episode with Shawn to learn more about social anxiety disorder and the earlier days of Vistagen: https://inside-biotech.simplecast.com/episodes/shawn-singh-ceo-of-vistagen-mental-health-biopharmaceuticals Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

Serial entrepreneur Michael Heltzen, CEO of Exozymes, reveals how his NASDAQ-listed company is "liberating enzymes from cells" to create a new generation of chemical manufacturing. Instead of using living cells as factories, Exozymes isolates enzymatic pathways to work as pure chemistry—achieving engineering-level control previously deemed impossible in conventional synthetic biology. Michael discusses Exozymes’ AI-powered enzyme evolution, six-week development timelines, bold IPO strategy during biotech's funding winter, and applications in pharmaceuticals like NCT for liver disease. This is synthetic biology's next chapter: sustainable, scalable enzyme-based manufacturing that could replace both petrochemicals and natural harvesting. Make sure to check out eXoZymes' website: https://exozymes.com/ Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with John Marlowe and Pete Kane to explore how patient-driven innovation is transforming research on rare diseases and oncology. John shares his own 15-year medical odyssey filled with misdiagnoses and being told his symptoms were “in his head” and how his relentless determination led him to long-read sequencing which finally revealed his rare disease diagnosis. Pete, founder of Research to the People, explains how his nonprofit brings together scientists, engineers, and patients in open hackathons to tackle unsolved medical mysteries. Together, John and Pete reveal what happens when “scientific cowboys and cowgirls” unite—merging cutting-edge genomics, AI, and the power of community and collaboration to push the boundaries of diagnosis and treatment. Their story is a powerful reminder that the future of biotech is not just about technology but about people coming together to rewrite what’s possible. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn

From TV production to trailblazing in generative AI, Jennifer Bittinger’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of Inside Biotech, Jennifer shares how her non-linear career path–from helping launch Hulu to leading Narrativa–prepared her to bring AI innovation into the life sciences. She reveals how Narrativa became the first company to have FDA-approved, AI-generated clinical trial documentation, cutting years of “white space” in the drug-development process. Along the way, she tackles fears about AI replacing jobs, explaining how it can instead give scientists and medical writers their time back for high-value work. Today’s episode is a masterclass in how relationships, curiosity, and a little bit of courage can transform entire industries. Follow our Instagram @insidebiotech for updates about episodes and upcoming guests! To learn more about BCLA’s events and consulting visit our website. Follow BCLA on LinkedIn